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If local TV only faced an uphill battle in 2025. Instead, with shrinking audiences, declining ad revenue and stretched-thin newsrooms, local TV is staring up at a daunting mountain of challenges. Climbing this peak may seem impossible — but gen AI offers a lifeline.
Gen AI isn’t here to replace journalists; it’s here to empower them. Like a skilled guide on a treacherous ascent, it’s a force multiplier that can help local TV stations streamline operations, deepen audience connections and ultimately thrive in the shifting media landscape.
Smart newsrooms are well into building gen AI tools. The Telegraph, a U.K.-based publication, is launching new AI-driven newsroom tools every month to optimize content creation and audience targeting. Local TV stations need a similar cadence, if only to shake themselves from defensive positions resigned to manage declines.
Here are some practical ideas to help local newsrooms scale to new heights.
Unlock Data
Local TV stations sit on a treasure trove of data — from viewership habits and click-through rates to social media engagement and community feedback. The problem? Much of this data remains untapped, collecting digital dust. Gen AI can unlock its potential, transforming raw numbers into actionable insights.
For example, AI tools can analyze viewing patterns to identify when audiences are most engaged and what topics resonate most deeply. This insight enables hyper-targeted ad campaigns tailored to viewer preferences, boosting revenue streams.
Research directors need to take the lead here. Try this prompt with your ratings data:
Analyze viewership data from [insert date range] and identify the following:
The top-performing